Oakwood: Heart & Soul Series by Jeri Marie

They were once inseparable, the best of friends. He was her knight in shining armor, she was his damsel in distress. But for reasons only Callen and his hormones are aware of, he and his childhood friend, Tierney, began to grow apart. She's always been the soft but strong type. However, after her father's sudden and tragic death, she finds herself leaning on Callen again... moreThey were once inseparable, the best of friends. He was her knight in shining armor, she was his damsel in distress. But for reasons only Callen and his hormones are aware of, he and his childhood friend, Tierney, began to grow apart. She's always been the soft but strong type. However, after her father's sudden and tragic death, she finds herself leaning on Callen again. And despite everything always changing between them, creating a constant flow of confusion, he's all too happy to be there for her. Just like when they were kids. The problem is, they're not kids anymore. Tierney’s a mess, Callen is leaving for college, and life wants to get in the way again. But tethered hearts always stay connected, and the pull they feel toward one another only seems to grow. Even though the timing is all wrong. As Tierney's strength dwindles, Callen's is tested more than it's ever been before, and a perfect storm is on the way. One that is sure to rain down conflicts and feelings and emotions that will challenge the essence of who they were, who they are, and what they will become. less

It's been eight years since Tierney Coleman left Oakwood, disappointed and heartbroken by her decision to leave her first love behind. Now her best friend is getting married and it's time to go back home. Besides facing the strained relationship she has with her mother, and the remnants of her dad's memory in town, Tee is forced to spend time around the one person she's carefully avoided since she left – Callen Shaw... moreIt's been eight years since Tierney Coleman left Oakwood, disappointed and heartbroken by her decision to leave her first love behind. Now her best friend is getting married and it's time to go back home. Besides facing the strained relationship she has with her mother, and the remnants of her dad's memory in town, Tee is forced to spend time around the one person she's carefully avoided since she left – Callen Shaw. Despite the pain he caused her all those years ago, Tierney has used her time away to heal. She's no longer the same timid, broken girl she was before. And since the heart always knows what it wants, she also can't deny the instant connection she still shares with her best friend's brother. If only the timing wasn't all wrong. Again. For Callen, his love for Tierney is just as strong now as it was when they were young. That undeniable truth helped him through the messy parts after she left town and, since then, all he's ever wanted was to become worthy of her. But following a stint overseas with the military, Cal has discovered that cleaning up his act was the easy part. Tee's arrival only serves to make his road to resilience more complicated. Before the sparks between them get a chance to fly too high, the past weaves new strings of tribulation into the present and Tierney becomes immersed once more in the chaos riddling the people she left behind. The only difference is that she's not running away this time. Resilience is the second book in a small-town second chance then/now duet. You can expect to find some heavy and emotional topics (TW inside), plenty of character development, a little forced proximity, found family, and the best friend's brother trope. To get the full experience, you should start with the first book. less